Sterlite Power Grid is one of the largest private developer of independent power transmission systems while Burns & McDonnell International is a global leader in transmission and distribution engineering. The agreement was signed last week.Debjoy Sengupta | October 02, 2015, 01:15 IST

Ravi BalakrishnanKolkata: Sterlite Power Grid Ventures and Burns & McDonnell International have entered into an agreement to jointly work on transmission projects in India.

Sterlite Power Grid is one of the largest private developer of independent power transmission systems while Burns & McDonnell International is a global leader in transmission and distribution engineering.

The agreement was signed last week.

The companies will be initially working on the northern region system strengthening project, which will carry 2,000 megawatts of electricity to energy-starved Kashmir Valley from Punjab.

Sterlite Grid said it will invest close to Rs 3,000 crore in the project that comprises 900 circuit kilometres of transmission lines and a 400 kilovolt gas-insulated substation at Amargarh.

Responding to the urgency expressed by the Centre and states, Sterlite Grid has committed to implement it in less than 40 months, instead of the earlier expected 50 months.

Due to extreme climatic conditions in Jammu & Kashmir, the window for construction is limited. Sterlite Grid will work with Burns & McDonnell to implement innovative designs and mechanised construction, which may include usage of heli-cranes, micro-pile foundations and special tower designs, to quicken the process, the companies said.

“To save the environment and to fight climate change, my government has planned a major campaign. By 2022, we want to generate 175 GW of renewable energy. In the last three years, we have already achieved 60 GW or around one-third of this target,” he said.